The selection panel of the Vigdís Prize for Women's Empowerment, which rewards outstanding initiatives to promote the empowerment of women in all their diversity in Europe and beyond, has today announced the shortlist for the second edition of the Award.
Meeting in Strasbourg, the panel – made up of six independent members with recognised standing in the field of women’s empowerment and chaired by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Theodoros Rousopoulos – decided to shortlist the following three nominees, in alphabetical order:
The Green Girls Organisation (Cameroon)
The Green Girls Organisation, founded by Monique Ntumngia, provides training to over 12,000 women and girls in solar technology, AI-driven climate solutions and green entrepreneurship. It creates job opportunities for women by connecting trained women with employment, funding and networks. It also advocates for gender-inclusive climate policies.
Gisèle Pelicot (France)
Gisèle Pelicot was covertly drugged and raped by her husband over a nine-year period between 2011 and 2020. Her husband also invited dozens of men to rape her while she was unconscious. Ms Pelicot’s trial and subsequent recognition highlight her impact as a model of courage and advocate against violence towards women.
Women of the Sun (Palestine*)
Women of the Sun, founded by Reem Hajajreh, is an independent Palestinian association that creates pathways for women to enter male-dominated sectors like politics, business and technology. It brings Palestinian and Israeli women together, facilitating dialogue and fostering mutual understanding.
Announcing the panel’s choice, the PACE President paid tribute to all 111 eligible candidacies received from around the world. “This year the panel underlined the particular importance of celebrating women who play a transformative role in advocating for peaceful societies and for lasting legal recognition of equality.”
The overall winner of the 2025 Prize is due to be announced during an award ceremony at the opening of PACE’s Summer plenary session in Strasbourg on Monday 23 June. A joint initiative of the Icelandic Government and PACE, the Prize is named after former Icelandic President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the first woman in the world to be elected as a head of state.
The prizewinner receives €60,000, a diploma and is awarded the Prize trophy, a sculpture made from volcanic magma from Iceland named “Kvika”.
The first edition of the Vigdís Prize was awarded in 2024 to the Irida Women’s Center in Greece, a grassroots NGO which works for positive change in the lives of women experiencing poverty, social exclusion and gender-based violence.
A video statement by the chair of the selection panel, PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos, together with members of the panel, is available on the Prize website here.
* This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a state of Palestine and without prejudice to the individual positions of Council of Europe member states on this issue.
Individuals or civil society groups, including national or international non-governmental organisations, associations and private companies may be nominated for the Prize.
Having read the full regulations, download and fill in the online form, providing details of the nominee, their actions, and the names of at least five sponsors. The form for the 2026 edition will be posted in autumn 2025.
The Selection Panel, chaired by the President of the Assembly or a designated representative, is composed of six independent members recognised for their expertise in women's empowerment. Three members are nominated by the Bureau of the Assembly based on a proposal made by the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, and three are nominated by the Government of Iceland.
Panel members serve a two-year term, renewable twice. Current Assembly members are not eligible to serve on the panel.
Members for the period of October 2023 – October 2025 include:
Nominated by the Bureau of the Assembly:
Robert Biedroń (Poland), former President of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality, member of the European Parliament; Sandra Konstatzky (Austria), Head of the Austrian Ombud for Equal Treatment, Iris Luarasi (Albania), journalist and activist, former President of GREVIO (Group of Experts on violence against women).
Nominated by the Government of Iceland:
Rósa Björk Brynjólfsdóttir (Iceland), Advisor on International Affairs to the Prime Minister of Iceland, former member of the Althingi; Sanam Naraghi Anderlini (Iran/UK), CEO of the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN); Finnborg Salome Steinþórsdóttir (Iceland), Gender Studies lecturer at the University of Iceland.
The Prize is awarded at a ceremony which takes place in Strasbourg on the Monday of the Summer Session of the Parliamentary Assembly, usually in late June.
The name of the prize-winner is announced by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly.
